"American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith" is a new, permanent exhibit at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. The exhibit is showcased in a gallery whose name will be familiar to East Tennesseans visiting the Washington museum.

The exhibit of 9,000 objects and covering 7,235 square feet is shown in the Linda and Pete Claussen Hall of Democracy on the museum's second floor. According to the Smithsonian, the exhibit is one of four telling the story of America's start and its future as a nation built on freedom and opportunity.

The Claussens are Knoxville residents. Pete Claussen is chairman of Knoxville's Gulf & Ohio Railways based in Knoxville. He chaired the National Museum of American History from 2003 to 2005. He also served on the Smithsonian's national board as co-chair of its development committee.

Items on display in "American Democracy" include a look through the United States' political and democratic history. Objects shown include the writing box Thomas Jefferson used to draft the the Declaration of Independence, the inkstand Abraham Lincoln used to draft the Emancipation Proclamation and a red shawl Susan B. Anthony wore while lobbying for women's suffrage.

The exhibit's five sections begin with America's colonial era and explore such issues as voting rights, petitions, protests and lobbying and the makeup of the country's citizens.

The National Museum of American History on Constitution Avenue N.W. is open 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily with free admission.